Straightener for a dispenser for coiled material

ABSTRACT

A straightening device for straightening bent side rods and bent base member of a re-usable dispensing device for coiled material is provided with a first hydraulic cylinder and hooked arms responsive thereto to engage and straighten the base member. A second hydraulic cylinder in opposing alignment with the first hydraulic cylinder includes outwardly expandable scissor arms to engage and straighten the bent side rods while the hooked arms hold the base member.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,859,836 Speros Jan. 14, 1975 [54] STRAIGHTENER FOR A DISPENSER FOR 3,262,304 7/1966 Schultz 72/393 COILED MATERIAL [75] Inventor: Gregory Speros, Downey, Calif. Primary Lanham i p Asszstant Examiner-M. J. Keenan Asslgneei Bethlehem Steel l e Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Joseph J. OKeefe; Michael Bethlehem, J. Belaney; John J. Selko [22] Filed: May 18, 1973 21 App]. No.2 361,681 [57] ABSTRACT i A straightening device for straightening bent side rods 52 us. or. 72 and hem base member o a Tee-Sable dispensing isli Int. Cl m 4633 ied eeiied ideieiiei ie edevided wide e died dydeed- [58] Field of Search 399 392 309 he cylinder and hooked arms responsive thereto to en- 1 1 3 gage and straighten the base member. A second hydraulic cylinder in opposing alignment with the first [56] References Cited hydraulic cylinder includes outwardly expandable scissor arms to engage and straighten the bent side rods l 5 318 PATENTS 72/399 while the hooked arms hold the base member.

isinger 2,931,416 4/1960 Krise 72/393 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures f ,3 e v 8 4.9 4 5 7 1 3 l i i 69 I l i 69 53 57 I l I 4 I 63 1; "wa 73 73 7.9

. l 5 1 43 i 4 i 40 l I I l i I r; r I

PATENTEBJAN $41975 SHEEI BF 2 PATENTED JAN 1 4 I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 STRAIGHTENER FOR A DISPENSER FOR COILED MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION device for coiled material.

2. Prior Art When wire is sold in large quantities, it is commonly supplied wrapped on metal dispensing devices known as carriers, which are re-usable. These carriers are commonly made of tubular members. One type of carrier is formed from a first inverted U-shaped body member having vertical spaced side rods with outturned base ends. A second inverted U-shaped body member with vertical spaced side rods and out-turned base ends is spaced within the first body member but rotated ninety degrees with respect to the first body member. The apexes of the first and second body members are welded together. A base member, in a horizontal plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the side rods connects the out-turned base ends of the first and second body members.

With repeated usage, the side rods and base member can become bent out of shape. Heretofore, bent wire carries were straightened by manual hammering, an expensive and time consuming process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a device for mechanically straightening the bent side rods and base member of wire carriers.

This object can be achieved in a device in which a slotted table top is provided to support the base member of a wire carrier. A first hydraulic cylinder is fastened to the tabletop in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the table top, and is provided with hooked arms which extend up through the slots in the table top to engage and hydraulically straighten the base. A second hydraulic cylinder is fastened to the table top, in opposing alignment with the first cylinder, and provided with expandable scissor arms which engage and hydraulically straighten the side rods of the carrier, while the base is held in position by the hooked arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an isometric view of a bent dispensing device for coiled material.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view with parts removed for clarity showing a bent dispensing device positioned on the straightener prior to straightening and viewed diagonally across the square table.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a dispensing device positioned on the straightener during straightening and viewed diagonally across the square table.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the side rod straightening means showing one scissor arm and side rod straightening pad expanded outwardly.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the table top with diagonal slots and one scissor arm and side rod straightening pad expanded outwardly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a bent re-usable dispensing device for coiled material known as a wire carrier 1 is shown. A first inverted U-shaped body member 3 has vertical spaced side rods 5 and out-turned base ends 7. A second inverted u-shaped body :member 9 within first body member 3 also has vertical spaced side rods 11 and out-turned base ends 13. The second body member 9 is positioned at approximately ninety degrees with respect to the first body member 3. First and second body members 3 and 9 are welded together at apex 15. Base member 17, is welded to base ends 7 and 13 in a horizontal plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the side rods 5 and 11. Side rods 5 and 11 are shown bent and collapsed and base member 17 is also shown bent, making carrier 1 undesirable for use. i

In FIG. 2, bent carrier 1 is shown in position on a square shaped table top 21 which is supported by suitable legs 23. Beneath table top 21 is base straightening means shown generally as 25. Base straightening means 25 includes a first hydraulic cylinder 27 which is suspended by means of pin and clevis 29 beneath the center point of table top 21 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of table top 21. Within first hydraulic cylinder 27 and responsive thereto is first piston rod 31, as is known in the art. First cylinder 27 is connected to conventional hydraulic drive means not shown to cause first piston rod 31 to be capable of in and out motion relative to cylinder 27. Fastened by suitable means, as by welding, to the outer end 32 of first piston rod 31 is a square-shaped horizontal plate 33. Hook arms 35 are pivotally fastened to horizontal plate 33 one at each corner by means of pin and clevis 37. Hook arms 35 extend upwardly toward table top 21 and through a corresponding slot 39 in table top 21. Slots 39 are shown more clearly in FIG. 5. As seen in FIG. 2, with first piston rod 31 in the retracted position, hook arms 35 are raised above base member 17. As seen in FIG. 3, when first piston rod is in the extended position, hook arms engage base member 17 with hooks 40 and force base member 17 against table top 21 to straighten base member 17 in a vertical direction.

As seen in FIG. 2, side rod straightening means 41 is fastened to table top 21. Side rod straightening means 41 includes a second hydraulic cylinder 43 fastened by means of pin and clevis 45 to table top 21 in opposing alignment with first hydraulic cylinder 27. Within second cylinder 43 and responsive thereto is second piston rod 47. Second cylinder 43 is connected to conventional hydraulic drive means, not shown, to cause second piston rod 47 to be capable of in and out motion relative to cylinder 43.

Fastened as by welding to the outer end 48 of second piston rod 47 is square-shaped horizontal mounting plate 49. Four horizontally expandable scissor arms 51 are pivotally fastened at the outer end 53 to mounting plate 49 and at the inner end 55 to table top 21. As seen in FIG. 4, each scissor arm 51 includes an outer arm member 57 pivotally fastened to mounting plate 49 and extending generally toward table top 21, and an inner arm member 59 pivotally fastened to table top 21 and extending generally toward mounting plate 49. Outer and inner arm members 57 and 59 are pivotally joined by bolt 61 at pivot joint 63. I prefer to make outer arm member 59 from two parallel plates 65 and 67 spaced one on each side of upper arm member 57 at pivot joint 63.

Pivotally fastened to each scissor arm 51 at pivot joint 63 is a side rod engagement pad 69. Each side rod engagement pad 69 includes a vertically disposed L- shaped angle 71 for engaging side rods 5 and 11, a mounting arm 73 welded to angle 71, and pivotally fastened at pivot joint 63. I prefer to make mounting arm 73 from two spaced plates 75 and 77 one welded to each leg of angle 71 and spaced on either side of outer arm member 57 at pivot joint 63. Stop 79 is welded across plates 65 and 67 of inner arm 59 to keep angle 71 in a substantially vertical position.

Scissor arms 51 are spaced around mounting plate 49 so that angles 71 engage side rods 5 and 1 1. When second piston rod 43 is retracted, scissor arms 51 are extended and engage side rods 5 and 11 to horizontally straighten side rods 5 and 11 by horizontally forcing collapsed side rods outward.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, slots 39 are symmetrically spaced around side rod straightening means 41. I also can position anvils 81, intermediate slots 39 on table top 21. If anvils 81 are used, base member 17 rests on anvils 81 which can be welded to table top 21. Anvils 81 are optional. In actual practice, I have successfully used a straightener in which table top (21) is 1 inch steel plate, and legs (23) are X 3- /2 inch angle iron. First and second hydraulic cylinders (27) and (43) are each double acting cylinders having a 4 inch diameter and a 7- /2 inch stroke, capable of producing a pressure of 1,800 pounds per square inch. Base plate (33) is 1 inch steel plate. Hook arms (35) are from V2 inch steel plate. Mounting plate (49) is 1 inch steel plate, and outer arm (57) is inch steel plate, while plate (65) and (67) of inner arm (59) are A inch steel plate. Angles (71) are X 3 inch angle iron, and anvils (81) are -l-% inch square bars.

I claim:

1. For straightening a dispensing device for coiled material which comprises spaced side rods forming inverted U-shaped body members joined at the apexes thereof, said side rods terminating in base ends and a base member connecting said base ends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said side rods, a straightener comprising:

a. support means for supporting said base member;

b. base member straightening means fastened to said support means for engaging and straightening said base member by forcing said base member against said support means; and

c. side rod straightening means independent of said base member straightening means fastened to said support means for engaging and forcing outwardly said side rods.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which said support means includes:

a. a table top;

b. slots in said table top spaced around said side rod straightening means.

3. The invention of claim 2 in which said base member straightening means includes:

a. a first hydraulic cylinder fastened to said table top in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said table top;

b. a first piston rod within said first hydraulic cylinder;

c. a base plate fastened to the outer end of said first piston rod;

d. a plurality of hook arms pivotally fastened to said base plate, each hook arm extending through a corresponding slot in said table top; and

e. said first piston rod in the'extended position causing said hook arms to engage and force said base member against said table top.

4. The invention of claim 3 in which said side rod straightening means includes:

a. a second hydraulic cylinder fastened to said table top in opposing alignment with said first hydraulic cylinder;

b. a second piston rod within said second hydraulic cylinder;

0. a mounting plate fastened to the outer end of said second piston rod;

d. a plurality of expandable scissor arms pivotally fastened at the outer end to said mounting plate and at the inner end to said table top;

e. a side rod engagement pad fastened to each scissor arm; and

f. said second piston rod in the retracted position causing said side rod engagement pads to force outwardly said side rods.

5. For straightening a dispensing device for coiled material which comprises spaced side rods terminating in base ends and a base member connectingsaid base ends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said side rods, a straightener comprising:

a. a table top for supporting said base member;

b. base member straightening means fastened to said table top and adapted to engage and force said base member against said table top;

c. side rod straightening means adapted to engage and force outwardly said side rods, including:

i. a hydraulic cylinder fastened to said table top;

ii. a piston rod within said hydraulic cylinder;

iii. a mounting plate fastened to the outer end of said piston rod;

iv. a plurality of expandable scissor arms pivotably fastened at the outer end to said mounting plate and at the inner end to said table top;

v. a side rod engagement pad fastened to each scissor arm;

vi. said piston rod in the retracted position causing said side rod engagement pads to force outwardly said side rods; and

d. each said expandable scissor arm including i. an outer arm member pivotably fastened to said mounting plate and extending toward said table top;

ii. an inner arm member pivotably fastened to said table top and extending toward said mounting plate; and

iii. said outer and inner arm members pivotably joined at a pivot joint.

6. The invention of claim 5 in which said side rod engagement pad includes:

a. an angle disposed parallel to said side rods for engaging said side rods;

b. a mounting arm fastened to said angle; and

c. said mounting arm pivotably fastened to said scis sor arm at said pivot joint.

7. The invention of claim 2 in which said table top includes a plurality of anvils, each anvil spaced intermediate said slots.

8. For straightening a dispensing device for coiled material which comprises vertical side rods terminating in out-turned base ends and a base member connecting said out-turned base ends in a substantially horizontal plane, a straightener comprising:

a. a horizontal table top;

b. spaced slots in said table top;

c. a first hydraulic cylinder vertically suspended beneath said table top;

d. a first piston rod within said first hydraulic cylinder and movable in response thereto;

e. a horizontal base plate fastened to the outer end of said first piston rod;

f. a plurality of hook arms pivotally fastened to said base plate, each hook arm extending upwardly through a corresponding slot in said table top;

g. said first piston rod in the extended position causing said hook arms to engage and force said base member against said table top;

h. a second hydraulic cylinder vertically fastened to said table top in opposing alignment with said first hydraulic cylinder;

i. a second piston rod within said second hydraulic cylinder and movable in response thereto;

j. a horizontal mounting plate fastened to the outer end of said second piston rod;

k. a plurality of expandable scissor arms pivotally fastened at the outer end to said mounting plate and at the inner end to said table top, each said scissor arm having:

i. an outer arm member pivotally fastened to said mounting plate and extending toward said table top;

ii. an inner arm member pivotally fastened to said table top and extending toward said mounting plate; and

iii. said outer and inner arm members pivotally joined at a pivot point;

1. a side rod engagement pad fastened to each scissor arm and including:

i. a vertically disposed angle for engaging said side rods;

ii. a mounting arm fastened to said angle; and

iii. said mounting arm pivotally fastened to said scissor arm at said pivot joint; and

m. said second piston rod in the retracted position causing said side rod engagement pad to force outwardly said side rods. 

1. For straightening a dispensing device for coiled material which comprises spaced side rods forming inverted U-shaped body members joined at the apexes thereof, said side rods terminating in base ends and a base member connecting said base ends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said side rods, a straightener comprising: a. support means for supporting said base member; b. base member straightening means fastened to said support means for engaging and straightening said base member by forcing said base member against said support means; and c. side rod straightening means independent of said base member straightening means fastened to said support means for engaging and forcing outwardly said side rods.
 2. The invention of claim 1 in which said support means includes: a. a table top; b. slots in said table top spaced around said side rod straightening means.
 3. The invention of claim 2 in which said base member straightening means includes: a. a first hydraulic cylinder fastened to said table top in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said table top; b. a first piston rod within said first hydraulic cylinder; c. a base plate fastened to the outer end of said first piston rod; d. a plurality of hook arms pivotally fastened to said base plate, each hook arm extending through a corresponding slot in said table top; and e. said first piston rod in the extended position causing said hook arms to engage and force said base member against said table top.
 4. The invention of claim 3 in which said side rod straightening means includes: a. a second hydraulic cylinder fastened to said table top in opposing alignment with said first hydraulic cylinder; b. a second piston rod within said second hydraulic cylinder; c. a mounting plate fastened to the outer end of said second piston rod; d. a plurality of expandable scissor arms pivotally fastened at the outer end to said mounting plate and at the inner end to said table top; e. a side rod engagement pad fastened to each scissor arm; and f. said second piston rod in the retracted position causing said side rod engagement pads to force outwardly said side rods.
 5. For straightening a dispensing device for coiled material which comprises spaced side rods terminating in base ends and a base member connecting said base ends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said side rods, a straightener comprising: a. a table top for supporting said base member; b. base member straightening means fastened to said table top and adapted to engaGe and force said base member against said table top; c. side rod straightening means adapted to engage and force outwardly said side rods, including: i. a hydraulic cylinder fastened to said table top; ii. a piston rod within said hydraulic cylinder; iii. a mounting plate fastened to the outer end of said piston rod; iv. a plurality of expandable scissor arms pivotably fastened at the outer end to said mounting plate and at the inner end to said table top; v. a side rod engagement pad fastened to each scissor arm; vi. said piston rod in the retracted position causing said side rod engagement pads to force outwardly said side rods; and d. each said expandable scissor arm including i. an outer arm member pivotably fastened to said mounting plate and extending toward said table top; ii. an inner arm member pivotably fastened to said table top and extending toward said mounting plate; and iii. said outer and inner arm members pivotably joined at a pivot joint.
 6. The invention of claim 5 in which said side rod engagement pad includes: a. an angle disposed parallel to said side rods for engaging said side rods; b. a mounting arm fastened to said angle; and c. said mounting arm pivotably fastened to said scissor arm at said pivot joint.
 7. The invention of claim 2 in which said table top includes a plurality of anvils, each anvil spaced intermediate said slots.
 8. For straightening a dispensing device for coiled material which comprises vertical side rods terminating in out-turned base ends and a base member connecting said out-turned base ends in a substantially horizontal plane, a straightener comprising: a. a horizontal table top; b. spaced slots in said table top; c. a first hydraulic cylinder vertically suspended beneath said table top; d. a first piston rod within said first hydraulic cylinder and movable in response thereto; e. a horizontal base plate fastened to the outer end of said first piston rod; f. a plurality of hook arms pivotally fastened to said base plate, each hook arm extending upwardly through a corresponding slot in said table top; g. said first piston rod in the extended position causing said hook arms to engage and force said base member against said table top; h. a second hydraulic cylinder vertically fastened to said table top in opposing alignment with said first hydraulic cylinder; i. a second piston rod within said second hydraulic cylinder and movable in response thereto; j. a horizontal mounting plate fastened to the outer end of said second piston rod; k. a plurality of expandable scissor arms pivotally fastened at the outer end to said mounting plate and at the inner end to said table top, each said scissor arm having: i. an outer arm member pivotally fastened to said mounting plate and extending toward said table top; ii. an inner arm member pivotally fastened to said table top and extending toward said mounting plate; and iii. said outer and inner arm members pivotally joined at a pivot point; 